Astronomical Calendar - A.D. 2010

* Thur., 2009 Dec. 31, 1:00 a.m. EST - Moon 0.8 degree north of the M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Thur., 2009 Dec. 31, 2:13 p.m. EST - Full Moon: "Blue Moon" (using the definition of two full moons in one calendar month; one of several definitions of "Blue Moon").

* Thur., 2009 Dec. 31, 2:23:45.9 p.m. EST - Greatest eclipse of this minor Partial Eclipse of the Moon, occurring in the Constellation Gemini the Twins - Not visible in most of the Western Hemisphere except Alaska, northern Canada, and extreme eastern Brazil; visible in most other parts of the world.

* Fri., Jan. 1, 12:00:00 Midnight - New Year's Day: Year A.D. 2010 begins (January 1).

* Fri., Jan. 1 - Eighth day of the 12 days of Christmas (Thur., 2009 Dec. 25 to Mon., 2010 Jan. 5).

* Fri., Jan. 1 - Last day of Kwanzaa (Week-long holiday observance honoring African-American heritage: Fri., 2009 Dec. 26 to Thur., 2010 Jan. 1.).

* Fri., Jan. 1, 4:00 p.m. EST - Moon at perigee: 358,682 kilometers - Large Tides Expected.

* Sat., Jan. 2, 7:00 p.m. EST - Earth at perihelion (closest approach to the Sun in new year): 147,097,907 kilometers.

* Sun., Jan. 3, 7:00 a.m. EST - Mars 7 degrees north of Moon.

* Sun., Jan. 3, 2:00 p.m. EST - Peak of Quadrantid Meteor Shower.

* Mon., Jan. 4, 2:00 p.m. EST - Mercury in inferior conjunction with the Sun (Mercury not visible).

* Wed., Jan. 6, 2:00 p.m. EST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Thur., Jan. 7, 5:39 a.m. EST - Last Quarter Moon.

* Mon., Jan. 11, 8:00 a.m. EST - Star Antares 1.1 degrees south of Moon; occultation: Northeastern portion of the United States of America, eastern portion of Canada, southern tip of Greenland.

* Mon., Jan. 11, 5:00 p.m. EST - Venus in superior conjunction with the Sun (Venus not visible).

* Wed., Jan. 13, 11:00 a.m. EST - Mercury 5 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., Jan. 15, 2:07:39.0 a.m. EST - Time of greatest eclipse of Annular Solar Eclipse/Annular Eclipse of the Sun, visible as annular or partial solar eclipse in Africa, Indian Ocean, India, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Cbina.
SAFE WAY TO VIEW A SOLAR ECLIPSE !

* Fri., Jan. 15, 2:11 a.m. EST - New Moon: Lunation 1077.

* Sat., Jan. 16, 9:00 p.m. EST - Moon at apogee: 406,435 kilometers.

* Mon., Jan. 18, 5:00 a.m. EST - Jupiter 5 degrees south of Moon.

* Sat., Jan. 23, 5:53 a.m. EST - First Quarter Moon.

* Sat., Jan. 23, 11:00 a.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Sun., Jan. 24 - Venus at aphelion (farthermost distance from the Sun in new year).

* Mon., Jan. 25, 6:00 a.m. EST - Moon 0.03 degree north of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Wed., Jan. 27 - Mars at closest approach to Earth for two years.

* Wed., Jan. 27, 1:00 p.m. EST - Moon 0.8 degree north of Open Star Cluster M35.

* Fri., Jan. 29, 3:00 p.m. EST - Mars at opposition, directly opposite Earth from the Sun. Mars rises around sunset and sets around sunrise.

* Sat., Jan. 30, 1:18 a.m. EST - Full Moon (Wolf Moon) - Largest Full Moon in 2010.

* Sat., Jan. 30, 3:00 a.m. EST - Mars 7 degrees north of Moon.

* Sat., Jan. 30, 4:00 a.m. EST - Moon at perigee: 356,593 kilometers - Large Tides Expected.

* Tue., Feb. 2 - Traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Candlemas, better known as Groundhog Day. First traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day of year; approximate mid-way point in Winter season.
Actual cross-quarter day.
( Groundhog Day at Gobler's Knob, Punxsutawney PA - Sunrise: 7:25 a.m. EST).

* Tue., Feb. 2, after evening twilight - Zodiacal Light - visible for next two weeks, for the Northern Latitudes, in the evening sky.

* Tue., Feb. 2, 9:00 p.m. EST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Wed., Feb. 3, 5:30 p.m. EST - Actual Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Candlemas (First actual Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day of year; approximate mid-way point in Winter season.); traditional cross-quarter day.

* Thur., Feb. 4 - Lichun - Beginning of first Solar term (of 24 Solar terms in one year) of traditional East Asia calendars; also known as the start of Spring (occurs each year around Feb.4).

* Fri., Feb. 5 - National Weatherperson's Day - Birth of one of America's first weather observers, John Jeffries: 1744 February 5.

* Fri., Feb. 5 - National Wear Red Day - Go Red for Women movement to heart disease in women (American Heart Association)

* Fri., Feb. 5, 6:48 p.m. EST - Last Quarter Moon.

* Sat., Feb. 6, 9:00 p.m. EST - Mars 3 degrees north of Beehive Star Cluster (M44).

* Sun., Feb. 7, 2:00 p.m. EST - Star Antares 1.1 degrees south of Moon; occultation: Portions of Alaska: Aleutian Islands and southwestern Alaska; Bering Sea.

* Thur., Feb. 11 - 1732: Birthday of first American President, George Washington, according to Julian Calendar (also known as "Old Style Calendar"), at use at that time; according to Gregorian Calendar, which we use today, George Washington's birthday occurred on Feb. 22.

* Fri. through Mon., Feb. 12, 13, 14, 15, - CITIZEN SCIENCE: The Great Backyard Bird Count weekend

* Fri., Feb. 12 - 1809: Birthday of 16th American President, Abraham Lincoln (1809). (February 12)

* Fri., Feb. 12 - 1809: Birthday of English naturalist, Charles Darwin (1809). (February 12); Darwin Day

* Fri., Feb. 12, 1:00 a.m. EST - Mercury 2 degrees south of Moon.

* Fri., Feb. 12, 9:00 p.m. EST - Moon at apogee: 406,540 kilometers.

* Sat., Feb. 13 - Mercury at aphelion.

* Sat., Feb. 13, 9:51 p.m. EST - New Moon - Lunation: 1078.

* Sun., Feb. 14 - Chinese New Year, Year of the Tiger, begins - based on a Lunisolar Calendar, of which dates indicate the moon phase and the solar year.

* Sun., Feb. 14 - St. Valentine's Day (Observed - February 14).

* Sun., Feb. 14, 6:00 p.m. EST - Neptune in conjunction with the Sun (Neptune not visible with a telescope).

* Mon. Feb. 15 - Presidents' Day - (Observed - USA Federal Holiday: Third Monday in February)

* Tue. Feb. 16 - Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday (Observed Tuesday before Ash Wednesday).

* Wed., Feb. 17 - Ash Wednesday (Observed 46 days before Easter Sunday).

* Thur., Feb. 18 - Asteroid Vesta at opposition (Vesta visible, with difficulty in telescope, from approx. sunset to approx. sunrise).

* Sun., Feb. 21, 2:00 p.m. EST - Moon 0.1 degree south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Sun., Feb. 21, 7:42 p.m. EST - First Quarter Moon.

* Mon., Feb. 22 - 1732: Birthday of first American President, George Washington, according to Gregorian Calendar, which we use today; according to Julian Calendar (also known as "Old Style Calendar") at use at that time, George Washington's birthday occurred on Feb. 11.

* Tue., Feb. 23, 10:00 p.m. EST - Moon 0.7 degree north of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Fri., Feb. 26, 12:00 Midnight EST - Mars 5 degrees north of Moon.

* Sat., Feb. 27, 5:00 p.m. EST - Moon at perigee: 357,829 kilometers - Large Tides Expected.

* Sun., Feb. 28, 6:00 a.m. EST - Jupiter in conjunction with the Sun (Jupiter not visible).

* Sun., Feb. 28, 11:38 a.m. EST - Full Moon (Snow Moon).

* Mon., March 1 - Beginning of Autumn Season in Australia

* Mon., March 1 - St. David's Day

* Tue., March 2, 5:00 a.m. EST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Tue., March 2, after evening twilight - Zodiacal Light - visible for next two weeks, for the Northern Latitudes, in the evening sky.

* Sat., March 6, 9:00 p.m. EST - Star Antares 1.3 degrees south of Moon.

* Sat., March 6, 10:28 p.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope.

* March 7 to 13 - National Sleep Awareness Week® (coincides, each year, with conversion to Daylight Saving Time)

* Sun., March 7, 10:42 a.m. EST - Last Quarter Moon.

* Wed., March 10, 11:25 a.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope (if in area of the world observing darkness).

* Fri., March 12, 5:00 a.m. EST - Moon at apogee: 406,008 kilometers.

* Sun., March 14, 12:22 a.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope.

* Sun., March 14, 2:00 a.m. Prevailing Time (U.S.A.) - DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS - Beginning in 2007, EARLY DUE TO NEW FEDERAL LAW

* Sun., March 14, 9:00 a.m. EDST - Mercury in superior conjunction with the Sun (Mercury not visible).

* March 15 to 19 - Flood Safety Awareness Week.

* Mon., March 15, 5:01 p.m. EDST - New Moon; Lunation: 1079.

* Wed., March 17, 3:00 a.m. EDST - Uranus in conjunction with the Sun (Even with a telescope, Uranus not visible. NEVER ATTEMPT TO LOOK AT A SOLAR CONJUNCTION WITH A TELESCOPE, AS IT COULD RESULT IN PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE AND BLINDNESS!!!).

* Wed., March 17, 8:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 7 degrees south of Moon.

* Wed., March 17, 2:19 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope (if in area of the world observing darkness).

* Sat., March 20 - Sun-Earth Day (NASA: Day of the Vernal Equinox)

* Sat., March 20, 1:32 p.m. EDST - Vernal Equinox - Spring Season begins in Northern Hemisphere of Earth: beginning of New Year (solar calendar) in Afghanistan and Iran.

* Sat., March 20, 8:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.3 degree south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Sun., March 21, 3:16 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope.

* Sun., March 21, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Saturn at opposition. Saturn, approx., rises at local sunset and sets at local sunrise.

* Mon., March 22, 9:45 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope.

* Tue., March 23, 6:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 0.5 degree north of the M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Tue., March 23, 7:00 a.m. EDST - First Quarter Moon.

* Wed., March 24, 4:14 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope (if in area of the world observing darkness).

* Thur., March 25, 10:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 5 degrees north of Moon.

* Sat., March 27, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Prevailing Time - Earth Hour annual environmental observance (Last Saturday in March, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Prevailing Time).

* Sun., March 28, 1:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 361,876 kilometers.

* Sun., March 28, 5:11 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope.

* Mon., March 29 - Mercury at perihelion.

* Mon., March 29, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Mon., March 29, Sunset Prevailing Time (Pittsburgh - Sunset: 6:42 p.m. EDST - Passover of the Jewish faith begins.

* Mon., March 29, 10:25 p.m. EDST - Full Moon (Worm Moon)

* Mon., March 29, 11:39 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope.

* Tue., March 30 - Mars at aphelion.

* Wed., March 31, 6:08 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope (if in area of the world observing darkness).

* Thur., April 1 - Holy Thursday - Traditional (most Christian denominations except Orthodox demoninations) and Orthodox.

* Thur., April 1 - April Fool's Day.

* Thur., April 1 - Completed census forms, for American Decennial Census, due for mailing.

* Thur., April 1 - 1954: First broadcast of educational television station WQED-TV 13 in Pittsburgh, the nation's first community-supported television station.

* Fri., April 2 - Good Friday - Traditional (most Christian denominations except Orthodox demoninations) and Orthodox.

* Sat., April 3 - Holy Saturday - Traditional (most Christian denominations except Orthodox demoninations) and Orthodox.

* Sat., April 3, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Star Antares 1.6 degrees south of Moon.

* April 4 through April 10 - International Dark-Sky Week (NDSW).

* April 4 through April 10 - National Week of the Ocean.

* Sun., April 4 - Easter Sunday - Traditional (most Christian denominations except Orthodox demoninations) and Orthodox. Traditional date of Easter determined by the Gregorian Calendar; Orthodox date of Easter determined by the Julian Calendar. (Sunrise in Pittsburgh: 6:59 a.m. EDST) - First Sunday following the first "Paschal" Full Moon that occurs on or after March 21 (usually the Vernal Equinox when the Spring Season begins); More info.

* Sun., April 4, 7:28 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* April 5 to 11 - National Public Health Week.

* Mon., April 5 - Easter Monday.

* Tue., April 6, 3:33 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Tue., April 6, 5:37 a.m. EDST - Last Quarter Moon.

* Wed., April 7 - National Start! Walking Day.

* Wed., April 7, 8:46 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Thur., April 8, 11:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 405,002 kilometers.

* April 11 to 17 - National Library Week.

* April 11 to 17 - National Environmental Education Week (EE Week).

* Sun., April 11, 10:06 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Sun., April 11, 6:00 p.m. EDST - Jupiter 6 degrees south of Moon.

* Tue., April 13 - National Library Workers Day.

* Wed., April 14, 8:29 a.m. EDST - New Moon: Lunation 1080.

* Wed., April 14, 11:24 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Thur., April 15 - Tax Day (USA) - Individual Federal, State, and local tax returns due or postmarked by end of day.

* Thur., April 15 - Support Teen Literature Day.

* Thur., April 15, 7:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury 1.5 degrees south of Moon.

* Fri., April 16, 6:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 0.9 degree north of Beehive Star Cluster (M44).

* Fri., April 16, 9:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 4 degrees south of Moon.

* Sat., April 17, 2:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 0.5 degree south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* April 18 through 24 - National Volunteer Week.

* April 18 through 24 - Administrative Professionals Week.

* Sun., April 18, 12:44 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* April 19 through April 25 - International Astronomy Week.

* Mon., April 19 - Patriots' Day (April 19).

* Mon., April 19, 11:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 0.2 degree north of M35 Open Star Cluster.

* Tue., April 20 - World Night in Defence of the Starlight.

* Wed., April 21, 2:20 p.m. EDST - First Quarter Moon.

* Thur., April 22 - Earth Day.

* Thur., April 22 - National Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day (Fourth Thursday in April).

* Thur., April 22, 2:02 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Thur., April 22, 5:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 5 degrees north of Moon.

* Thur., April 22, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Peak of Lyrid Meteor Shower

* April 24 to May 1 - National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW).

* Sat., April 24; Sat., Oct. 16 - International Astronomy Day (Spring; Autumn).

* Sat., April 24, 10:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 4 degrees south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Sat., April 24, 5:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 367,141 kilometers.

* Sun., April 25, 8:00 p.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Wed., April 28, 8:18 a.m. EDST - Full Moon (Pink Moon).

* Wed., April 28, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury in inferior conjunction with Sun (Mercury not visible).

* Fri., April 30 - Arbor Day - National Arbor Day Foundation (last Friday of April).

* Fri., April 30 - Save the Frogs Day - Also see news article.

* Fri., April 30, 4:00 p.m. EDST - Star Antares 1.7 degrees south of Moon.

* Sat., May 1 - Traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Beltaine, better known as May Day ( Second traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day of year; approximate mid-way point in Spring season.); actual cross-quarter day.

* Sat., May 1 - Law Day

* May 2 to 8 - Arson Awareness Week

* Mon., May 3, 11:00 p.m. EDST - Venus 6 degrees north of Star Aldebaran.

* Tue., May 4 - Asteroid Pallas at opposition (Pallas visible approx. from sunset to sunrise in a telescope, with some difficulty).

* Wed., May 5 - Cinco de Mayo - Mexico (May 5)

* Wed., May 5, 10:32 a.m. EDST - Actual Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Beltaine, better known as May Day ( Second traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day of year; approximate mid-way point in Spring season.); traditional cross-quarter day.

* Thur., May 6, 12:15 a.m. EDST - Last Quarter Moon.

* Thur., May 6, 3:00 a.m. EDST - Peak of n-Aquarid (Eta Aquarid) Meteor Shower - remnants from Halley's Comet.

* Thur., May 6, 6:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 404,236 kilometers.

* Fri., May 7 - Space Day (First Friday in May)

* Sat., May /8 - International Migratory Bird Day (Second Saturday in May)

* Sat., May 8 - National Train Day

* Sun., May 9, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of Moon.

* May 9 to 15 - Food Allergy Awareness Week (FAAW)

* May 9 to 15 - National Police Week (Week including May 15)

* Sun., May 9 - Mothers' Day (Second Sunday in May)

* May 10 to 16 - Children's Book Week (Moved from 2007 Nov. 12 to 18)

* Wed., May 12 - National Lab Day.

* Wed., May 12 - Mercury at aphelion.

* Wed., May 12, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury 8 degrees south of Moon.

* Thur., May 13, 9:04 p.m. EDST - New Moon: Lunation 1081.

* Sat., May 15 - Armed Forces Day (USA) - (Third Saturday in May)

* Sat., May 15 - National Peace Officers' Memorial Day (May 15)

* May 16 to 22 - Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week

* Sun., May 16 - Venus at perihelion.

* Sun., May 16, 6:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 0.1 degree south of Moon; occultation: northern half of Africa, Turkey, Middle East, India, southern portion of China, Southeast Asia, Indonesia.

* Sun., May 16, 6:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.04 degree north of the M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Thur., May 20, 5:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 369,733 kilometers.

* Thur., May 20, 8:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 5 degrees north of Moon.

* Thur., May 20, 7:43 p.m. EDST - First Quarter Moon.

* Fri., May 21 - Bike-to-Work Day (Third Friday in May)

* Fri., May 21, 4:00 p.m. EDST - Venus 0.7 degree north of the M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* May 22 to 28 - National Safe Boating Week

* Sun., May 23, 1:00 a.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Tue., May 25 - National Missing Children's Day (May 25)

* Thur., May 27, 7:07 p.m. EDST - Full Moon (Flower Moon).

* Fri., May 28, 1:00 a.m. EDST - Star Antares 1.8 degrees south of Moon.

* Sat., May 29, 6:00 p.m. EDST - Asteroid and Dwarf Planet Ceres 0.01 degree north of Moon; occultation: southern portion of Africa, Madagascar, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, Indonesia.

* Sun., May 30 - Decoration Day - USA (May 30) - now observed as Memorial Day on last Monday in May.

* Mon., May 31 - Memorial Day - USA (Last Monday in May);
originally observed as Decoration Day - USA (May 30)

* Sat., May 29, 6:00 p.m. EDST - Asteroid and Dwarf Planet Ceres 0.01 degree north of Moon; occultation: southern portion of Africa, Madagascar, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, Indonesia.

* Sun., May 30 - Decoration Day - USA (May 30) - now observed as Memorial Day on last Monday in May.

* Mon., May 31 - Memorial Day - USA (Last Monday in May);
originally observed as Decoration Day - USA (May 30)

* Tue., June 1 - Beginning of Meteorological Season of Summer in Northern Hemisphere, Meteorological Season of Winter in Southern Hemisphere

* Tue., June 1 - Beginning of Hurricane Season in the Atlantic Ocean

* Tue., June 1 - International Children's Day.

* Thur., June 3, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 404,266 kilometers.

* Fri., June 4, 6:13 p.m. EDST - Last Quarter Moon.

* Sat., June 5 - United Nations World Environment Day - For 2010 United Nations World Environment Day Host City for North America: Pittsburgh

* Sun., June 6, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of Moon.

* Sun., June 6, 10:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 0.9 degree north of Star Regulus.

* Sun., June 6, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Jupiter 0.5 degree south of Uranus.

* Mon., June 7 - Peak of Arietid Meteor Shower

* Wed., June 9, 6:00 a.m. EDST - Mercury 6 degrees south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Wed., June 9, 6:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 5 degrees south of Star Pollux of Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Thur., June 10, 6:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.6 degree south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Thur., June 10, 11:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury 5 degrees south of Moon.

* Sat., June 12, 7:15 a.m. EDST - New Moon; Lunation 1082.

* Sun., June. 13 - National Children's Day (Second Sunday in June).

* Mon., June 14 - Flag Day - USA (June 14)

* Tue., June 15, 3:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 4 degrees north of Moon.

* Tue., June 15, 11:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 365,932 kilometers.

* Thur., June 17 - "Dump the Pump" Day (Annual: June 17), sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association and local public transit agencies nationwide, including the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

* Thur., June 17, 3:00 p.m. EDST - Mars 6 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., June 18 - Asteroid and Dwarf Planet Ceres at opposition.

* Sat., June 19, 12:29 a.m. EDST - First Quarter Moon.

* Sat., June 19, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* June 20 to 26 - National Lightning Safety Awareness Week; see article.

* Sun., June 20 - Fathers' Day (third Sunday in June): Link 1 *** Link 2

* Sun., June 20, 9:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 0.4 degree north of Beehive Star Cluster (M44).

* Mon., June 21, 7:28 a.m. EDST - Summer Solstice; Season of Summer begins in Earth's Northern Hemisphere (Also see 1985-1991: Annual Free Day at Buhl Planetarium).

* Thur., June 24 - St. Jean Baptiste Day/Quebec National Holiday (Quebec: June 24)

* Thur., June 24, 8:00 a.m. EDST - Star Antares 1.8 degrees south of Moon.

* Fri., June 25 - Mercury at perihelion.

* Fri., June 25 - Dwarf Planet Pluto at opposition.

* Fri., June 25, 3:00 p.m. EDST - Asteroid and Dwarf Planet Ceres 1.0 degree south of Moon; occultation: Eastern Europe, most of the Middle East, central portion of Asia, northern portion of India, northwestern portion of China, Mongolia.

* June 26 & 27 - Annual Amateur Radio Field Day, when ham radio operators test emergency radio operations (Always The Fourth Full Weekend In June).

* Sat., June 26, 7:30 a.m. EDST - Full Moon (Strawberry Moon).

* Sat., June 26, 7:38:27 a.m. EDST - Time of greatest eclipse for partial eclipse of the Moon, visible from much of the Americas, the Pacific and eastern portion of Asia. Eclipses of the Moon/Lunar Eclipses are safe to view with the naked-eye, binoculars, or a telescope.

* Tue., June 30 - Last day of Fiscal Year (Pennsylvania: June 30).

* Thur., July 1 - First day of Fiscal Year: Pennsylvania, July 1.

* Thur., July 1, 6:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 405,036 kilometers.

* July 3 - Aug. 11 (approx.) - " The Dog Days of Summer"

* Sat., July 3, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of Moon.

* Sun., July 4 - Independence Day, traditionally celebrated with fireworks: U.S.A., 1776 July 4.

* Sun., July 4, 10:35 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

* Tue., July 6, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Earth at aphelion: 152,096,520 kilometers.

* Thur., July 8, 4:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 0.6 degree south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Fri., July 9 - Asteroid Juno in conjunction with the Sun (Juno not visible).

* Fri., July 9, 10:00 p.m. EDST - Venus 1.1 degrees north of Star Regulus.

* Sat., July 10, 11:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 0.01 degree south of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Sun., July 11 - World Population Day: UN, July 11.

* Sun., July 11, 3:33:31.4 p.m. EDST - Time of Maximum Eclipse for the Total Eclipse of the Sun visible in the South Pacific Ocean, Mangaia (Cook Islands) and Easter Island (Isla de Pascua), southern Chile and Argentina.
Safe Way to View a Solar Eclipse.

* Sun., July 11, 3:40 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: New Moon - Lunation 1083.

* Mon., July 12, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury 4 degrees north of Moon.

* Tue., July 13, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 361,115 kilometers. * Tue., July 13, 10:00 a.m. EDST - Mercury 0.2 degree north of Beehive Star Cluster (M44).

* Wed., July 14, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Venus 6 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., July 16, 1:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 6 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., July 16, 3:00 p.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Sun., July 18, 6:11 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: First Quarter.

* Mon., July 19 - About 2000 years ago in Greece: Date of the heliacal rising of Sirius; mid-way point of "Dog Days of Summer."

* Tue., July 20, 10:56:20 p.m. EDST - In 1969, the first human (Neil Armstrong) to set foot on the Earth's Moon.

* Wed., July 21, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Star Antares 1.8 degrees south of Moon.

* Sun., July 25, 9:36 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Full Moon - Buck Moon.

* Tue., July 27, 7:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury 0.3 degree south of Star Regulus.

* Wed., July 28, 8:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 405,955 kilometers.

* Thur., July 29 - Annual Rain Day in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania: July 29.

* Thur., July 29, 5:00 a.m. EDST - Peak of S. Delta-Aquarid Meteor Shower

* Sat., July 31 - Heliacal rising of Sirius (the "Dog Star"); modern mid-way point in "Dog Days of Summer" (however, Sirius not visible until, at least, Aug. 7, due to glare of Sun): July 31.

* Sat., July 31, 5:00 a.m. EDST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of Moon.

* Sun., Aug. 1 - Traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Lammas or First Harvest (third traditional cross-quarter day of the year) between Midsummer Solstice & Autumnal Equinox; actual cross-quarter day.

* Sun., Aug. 1 - Friendship Day (First Sunday in August).

* Sun., Aug. 1, 3:00 p.m. EDST - Mars 1.9 degrees south of Saturn.

* Mon., Aug. 2 - Civic Holiday in certain Canadian provinces (First Monday in August)

* Tue., Aug. 3, evening - National Night Out

* Tue., Aug. 3, 12:59 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

* Wed., Aug. 4, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.6 degree south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Fri., Aug. 6, 10:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.05 degree south of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Sat., Aug. 7 - National Lighthouse Day (Aug. 7).

* Sat., Aug. 7 - First visible (Sirius rises ahead of Sun at 7 degrees altitude) Heliacal rising of Sirius; modern mid-way point in "The Dog Days of Summer."

* Sat., Aug. 7, 10:45 a.m. EDST - Actual Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Lammas or First Harvest is the (third actual cross-quarter day of the year) between Midsummer Solstice & Autumnal Equinox; traditional cross-quarter day.

* Sun., Aug. 8 - Mercury at aphelion.

* Mon., Aug. 9, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Venus 3 degrees south of Saturn.

* Mon., Aug. 9, 11:08 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: New Moon - Lunation 1084.

* Tue., Aug. 10, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 357,857 kilometers - Large Tides Predicted.

* Tue., Aug. 10, Sunset - Ramadan, Islamic religious observance (based on Lunar Calendar and sighting of the New Moon), begins (Sunset in Pittsburgh: 8:25 p.m. EDST).

* Wed., Aug. 11, 10:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury 2 degrees north of Moon.

* Thur., Aug. 12, 8:00 p.m. EDST - Peak of Perseid Meteor Shower, considered one of the best of the year! More info on this year's Perseid Meteor Shower.

* Fri., Aug. 13 - "Friday the 13th" superstition; debunking this superstition, purpose of character King Friday the 13th on popular PBS children's television series, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (originated at WQED-TV channel 13 in Pittsburgh).

* Fri., Aug. 13, 3:00 a.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., Aug. 13, 6:12 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with * difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Fri., Aug. 13, 8:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 5 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., Aug. 13, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Mars 6 degrees north of Moon.

* Mon., Aug. 16, 2:14 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: First Quarter.

* Tue., Aug. 17, 7:00 p.m. EDST - Star Antares 1.9 degrees south of Moon.

* Fri., Aug. 20, 6:00 a.m. EDST - Neptune at opposition.

* Fri., Aug. 20, 8:06 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Mon., Aug. 23, 5:00 p.m. EDST - Venus 2 degrees south of Mars.

* Tue., Aug. 24, 1:05 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Full Moon - Sturgeon Moon - Smallest Full Moon in 2010.

* Wed., Aug. 25, 2:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 406,389 kilometers.

* Fri., Aug. 27, 8:00 a.m. EDST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of Moon.

* Fri., Aug. 27, 11:50 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Tue., Aug. 31, 5:00 p.m. EDST - 1991: 19th anniversary of the closing of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science as a public museum, which was dedicated as America's fifth major planetarium on 1939 October 24.

* Tue., Aug. 31, 8:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.8 degree south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Wed., Sept. 1 - Beginning of Spring Season in Australia

* Wed., Sept. 1 - Beginning of Meteorological Season of Autumn.

* Wed., Sept. 1 - Mid-point in Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Season.

* Wed., Sept. 1 - Peak of Aurigid Meteor Shower.

* Wed., Sept. 1, 1:22 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

* Wed., Sept. 1, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Venus 1.2 degrees south of Star Spica.

* Fri., Sept. 3, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 0.2 degree south of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Sat., Sept. 4, 10:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 2 degrees north of Star Spica.

* Sun., Sept. 5 - Zodiacal Light dimly visible in northern lattitudes in eastern sky, before morning twilight, for next two weeks.

* Mon., Sept. 6 - Labor Day (Federal Holiday: U.S.A. - First Monday in September)

* Mon., Sept. 6 - Venus at aphelion.

* Wed., Sept. 8, 12:00 Midnight EDST - Moon at perigee: 357,190 kilometers - Large Tides Predicted.

* Wed., Sept. 8, 6:30 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: New Moon - Lunation 1085.

* Wed., Sept. 8, Sunset - Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year (Sunset in Pittsburgh: 7:41 p.m. EDST).

* Thur., Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., Sept. 10 - Traditional peak in Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Season.

* Fri., Sept. 10, Sunset - Eid ul-Fitr - Celebrated as day Muslims end fasting for Ramadan (Sunset in Pittsburgh: 7:38 p.m. EDST).

* Sat., Sept. 11 - Patriot Day - In commemoration of the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania (September 11).

* Sat., Sept. 11, 4:00 a.m. EDST - Mars 5 degrees north of Moon.

* Sat., Sept. 11, 9:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 0.3 degree north of Moon; occultation: eastern section of Brazil, South Atlantic Ocean, southwestern portion of Africa, South Indian Ocean.

* Sun., Sept. 12 - Grandparents Day (First Sunday after Labor Day).

* Wed., Sept. 15, 1:50 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: First Quarter.

* Fri., Sept. 17 - Constitution Day or Citizenship Day - Commemorates the day of signing of the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 (September 17).

* Fri., Sept. 17, Sunset - Yom Kippur - Jewish Holy Day of Atonement and Holiness (Sunset in Pittsburgh: 7:26 p.m. EDST).

* Sat., Sept. 18 - International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN).

* Tue., Sept. 21 - Mercury at aphelion.

* Tue., Sept. 21, 4:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 406,165 kilometers.

* Tue., Sept. 21, 8:00 a.m. EDST - Jupiter opposition.

* Tue., Sept. 21, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Uranus opposition.

* Wed., Sept. 22 - Mid-Autumn Festival/Moon Festival - A popular harvest festival celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese people, dating back over 3,000 years to Moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty. It is celebrated on the date close to the Atumnal Equinox of the Solar Calendar, as well as close to the Full Moon Phase.

* Wed., Sept. 22, 3:00 p.m. EDST - Jupiter 0.9 degree south of Uranus.

* Wed., Sept. 22, 11:09 p.m. EDST - Autumnal Equinox; beginning of Season of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.

* Thur., Sept. 23, 5:17 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Full Moon - (Corn Moon).

* Thur., Sept. 23, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of Moon.

* Thur., Sept. 23, 4:00 p.m. EDST - Venus at greatest brightness for year: Magnitude -4.8.

* Sept. 25 to Oct. 2 - Banned Books Week (BBW) - An annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.

* Sat., Sept. 25 - National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims (Sept. 25).

* Tue., Sept. 28, 2:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 1.1 degrees south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Wed., Sept. 29, 2:00 a.m. EDST - Venus 6 degrees south of Mars.

* Thur., Sept. 30 - Last day of U.S.A. Federal Fiscal Year.

* Thur., Sept. 30, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.5 degree south of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Thur., Sept. 30, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Saturn in conjunction with the Sun (Saturn not visible).

* Thur., Sept. 30, 11:52 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

* Oct. 3 to 9 - Fire Prevention Week (first full week of Oct.).

* Oct. 4 to 10 - World Space Week (Oct. 4 to 10).

* Tue., Oct. 5 - Zodiacal Light dimly visible in northern lattitudes in eastern sky, before morning twilight, for next two weeks.

* Wed., Oct. 6, 10:00 a.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 359,455 kilometers.

* Thur., Oct. 7, 10:00 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: New Moon - Lunation 1086.

* Fri., Oct. 8, 9:00 a.m. EDST - Peak of October Draconid Meteor Shower.

* Sat., Oct. 9, 12:00 Noon EDST - Venus 3 degrees south of Moon.

* Sat., Oct. 9, 10:00 p.m. EDST - Mars 4 degrees north of Moon.

* Sun., Oct. 10 - Clergy Appreciation National Day of Honoring (Second Sunday in Oct.).

* Mon., Oct. 11 - Chistopher Columbus Day Observed: Federal Holiday in U.S.A. (2nd Mon. in Oct.).

* Mon., Oct. 11 - Thanksgiving Day: Federal Holiday in Canada (2nd Mon. in Oct.).

* Tue., Oct. 12 - Chistopher Columbus Day (Oct. 12).

* Thur., Oct. 14 - World Standards Day.

* Thur., Oct. 14, 5:27 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: First Quarter.

* Fri., Oct. 15 - Global Handwashing Day (Oct. 15).

* Fri., Oct. 15 - National Boss Day (Oct. 16, unless date falls on weekend, then closest working day to Oct. 16).

* Sat., April 24; Sat., Oct. 16 - International Astronomy Day (Spring; Autumn).

* Sat., Oct. 16 - Sweetest Day (Third Saturday in Oct.).

* Sat., Oct. 16, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Mercury in superior conjunction with the Sun (Mercury not visible).

* Oct. 17 to Oct. 23 - National Chemistry Week.

* Mon., Oct. 18, 2:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at apogee: 405,428 kilometers.

* Wed., Oct. 20 - World Statistics Day.

* Wed., Oct. 20, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of Moon.

* Thur., Oct. 21, 12:00 Noon EDST - Peak of Orionid Meteor Shower - remnants from Halley's Comet.

* Fri., Oct. 22, 9:36 p.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Full Moon (Harvest Moon).

* Sat., Oct. 23 - Day of San Juan - Swallows leave Mission San Juan Capistano, California (Oct. 23).

* Sat., Oct. 23, 9:41 p.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Sun., Oct. 24 - 1939: Dedication of The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, with the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector, the oldest operable major planetarium projector in the world ! (Oct. 24).

* Sun., Oct. 24 - 1945: Founding of United Nations (Oct. 24).

* Mon., Oct. 25, 7:00 a.m. EDST - Moon 1.2 degrees south of Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Wed., Oct. 27, 7:00 p.m. EDST - Moon 0.7 degree south of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Thur., Oct. 28, 9:00 p.m. EDST - Venus in inferior conjunction with the Sun (Venus not visible).

* Oct. 29 to Nov. 12 - Great World Wide Star Count.

* Sat., Oct. 30, 8:46 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

* Sat., Oct. 30, 9:00 p.m. EDST (8:00 p.m. EST in 1938) - 1938: CBS Radio Network broadcast of Orson Welles' radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells science-fiction novel, The War of the Worlds, which caused a panic among some American listeners who thought the Earth was actually being invaded by beings from the Planet Mars.

* Sun., Oct. 31/Mon., Nov. 1/Tue., Nov. 2 - Traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Samhain or "All-Hallowsmas", better known as Halloween (Oct. 31 - "All Hallows Eve"), All-Saints Day (Nov. 1), All-Souls Day (Nov. 2) [fourth and last traditional cross-quarter day of year); actual cross-quarter day.

* Sun., Oct. 31, 12:17 a.m. EDST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Sun., Oct. 31, 2:00 a.m. EDST - DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CONTINUES - Change in Federal law, thus that return to Standard Time occurs 2:00 a.m. EDST (which becomes 1:00 a.m. EST) on the first Tuesday in November.

* Sun., Nov. 7, 2:00 a.m. EDST - DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS - Change in Federal law thus that return to Standard Time occurs 2:00 a.m. EDST (which becomes 1:00 a.m. EST) on the first Sunday in November.

* Sun., Nov. 7, https://buhlplanetarium4.tripod.com/astrocalendar/2010.html#samhaint17:33 a.m. EST - Actual Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Samhain or "All-Hallowsmas" (fourth and last actual cross-quarter day of the year); also see traditional cross-quarter day.

* Sat., Oct. 31/Sun., Nov. 1/Mon., Nov. 2 - Traditional Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Samhain or "All-Hallowsmas", better known as Halloween (Oct. 31 - "All Hallows Eve"), All-Saints Day (Nov. 1), All-Souls Day (Nov. 2) [fourth and last traditional cross-quarter day of year); actual cross-quarter day.

* Mon., Nov. 1, 8:00 p.m. EDST - Asteroid Juno 0.7 degree south of the Moon; occultation: Majority of Russia, northern China, Mongolia, Japan, Marshall Islands.

* Tue., Nov. 2 - General Election Day - Federal Offices (Mid-Term): Member of House of Representatives, Member of Senate (Senator in certain states) - Pennsylvania Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDST.

* Tue., Nov. 2, 7:00 p.m. EDST (6:00 p.m. EST in 1920) - 1920 - 90th anniversary of the world's first commercial radio broadcast station: KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh.

* Wed., Nov. 3, 1:00 p.m. EDST - Moon at perigee: 364,191 kilometers.

* Thur., Nov. 4 - Mercury at aphelion.

* Thur., Nov. 4, 2:00 a.m. EDST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Fri., Nov. 5 - Diwali or Deepavali - Religious holiday of India; on the Hindu calendar, the five-day festival of Deepavali is centered on the New Moon day that ends the month of Ashwin and begins the month of Kartika.

* Fri., Nov. 5 - Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated in England for the failed plot to blow-up Britain's Houses of Parliament and kill King James I (originally James VI of Scotland) in 1605. Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie considered this event so important, that several of the public libraries he constructed were dedicated on November 5!

* Fri., Nov. 5, 12:00 Noon EDST - Peak of South Taurid Meteor Shower.

* Fri., Nov. 5, 1:00 p.m. EDST (first Friday in November) - Was annual opening of very popular Miniature Railroad and Village (beginning of "Railroad Season") exhibit at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

* Sat., Nov. 6, 12:52 a.m. EDST - Moon Phase: New Moon - Lunation 1087.

* Sun., Nov. 7, 2:00 a.m. EDST - DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS - Change in Federal law thus that return to Standard Time occurs 2:00 a.m. EDST (which becomes 1:00 a.m. EST) on the first Sunday in November.

* Sun., Nov. 7, 3:13 a.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Sun., Nov. 7, 7:33 a.m. EST - Actual Astronomical Cross-Quarter Day Samhain or "All-Hallowsmas" (fourth and last actual cross-quarter day of the year); also see traditional cross-quarter day.

* Sun., Nov. 7, 5:00 p.m. EST - Mars 1.6 degrees north of the Moon.

* Tue., Nov. 9, 10:00 p.m. EST - Mars 4 degrees north of Star Antares.

* Wed., Nov. 10 - Asteroid Vesta in conjunction with the Sun (Vesta not visible).

* Tue., Nov. 11 - Veterans' Day/Armistice Day (Nov. 11, unless Nov. 11 falls on Saturday or Sunday - U.S.A.).

* Tue., Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day (Nov. 11 - Canada).

* Fri., Nov. 12, 11:00 a.m. EST - Peak of North Taurid Meteor Shower

* Sat., Nov. 13 - Beginning of Project FeederWatch, annual Citizen Science project: Winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales in North America. Allows the general public to help scientists track broadscale movements of Winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.

* Sat., Nov. 13, 11:38 a.m. EST - Moon Phase: First Quarter.

* Nov. 14 to 20 - Winter Safety Awareness Week (Ohio).

* Mon., Nov. 15 - National Philanthropy Day® (Nov. 15).

* Julian Calendar: Nov. 15 - Beginning of Orthodox Advent (Nov. 15) - Orthodox churches use the Julian Calendar and celebrate Advent for 40 days.

* Mon., Nov. 15, 5:00 a.m. EST - Mercury 2 degrees north of Star Antares.

* Mon., Nov. 15, 7:00 a.m. EST - Moon at apogee: 404,631 kilometers.

* Tue., Nov. 16, 11:00 a.m. EST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of the Moon.

* Wed., Nov. 17, 5:00 p.m. EST - Peak of Leonid Meteor Shower

* Thur., Nov. 18 (1975) - "Great American Smokeout," to assist people to quit smoking (third Thursday in November).

* Fri., Nov. 19 (1941) - Dedication of The People's Observatory on the third floor of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

* Fri., Nov. 19 (1958) - Federal formation of the National Radio Quiet Zone, providing for radio research at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

* Sat., Nov. 20 - Universal Children's Day.

* Sat., Nov. 20 - National Adoption Day (Traditionally, Saturday before Thanksgiving Day - However, moved to Nov. 15 for 2008 not to conflict with 45th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22.).

* Sat., Nov. 20, 7:00 p.m. EST - Mercury 1.7 degrees south of Mars.

* Sun., Nov. 21, 12:27 p.m. EST - Moon Phase: Full Moon (Beaver Moon).

* Wed., Nov. 24, 12:00 Midnight EST - Moon 0.8 degree south of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Thur., Nov. 25 - Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November - U.S.A.).

* Fri., Nov. 26 - "Black Friday" (day after Thanksgiving Day) - Was often busiest day of the year at Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.

* Sun., Nov. 28 - First Sunday in Advent (Traditional) - First of four Sundays in Advent prior to Christmas Day

* Sun., Nov. 28 - St Andrew's Day

* Sun., Nov. 28, 3:36 p.m. EST - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

* Mon., Nov. 29, 6:00 p.m. EST - Asteroid Juno 0.5 degree north of the Moon; occultation: Indian Ocean, southern tip of India, Sri Lanka, western portion of Indonesia, western and southern portions of Australia, New Zealand.

* Tue., Nov. 30, 2:00 p.m. EST - Moon at perigee: 369,430 kilometers.

* Wed., Dec. 1, 1:00 p.m. EST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Wed., Dec. 1, Sunset (Pittsburgh: 4:55 p.m. EST) to Dec. 9 - Chanukah (Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the Festival of Lights.)

* Wed., Dec. 1, 6:00 p.m. EST - Mercury 1.3 degrees south of Lagoon Nebula (M8).

* Thur., Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. EST - Venus 6 degrees north of Moon.

* Sat., Dec. 4, 5:00 a.m. EST - Maximum brightness of Venus for this apparition (Visual Magnitude: -4.9).

* Dec. 5 to 11 - National Handwashing Awareness Week (First full week of December).

* Sun., Dec. 5 - International Volunteer Day (IVD) (Dec. 5).

* Sun., Dec. 5, 12:36 p.m. EST - Moon Phase: New Moon - Lunation 1088.

* Mon., Dec. 6 - Feast of Saint Nicholas (Dec. 6).

* Mon., Dec. 6, 5:00 p.m. EST - Mars 0.5 degree south of the Moon.

* Tue., Dec. 7 - 1941: Pearl Harbor Day (Dec. 7).

* Tue., Dec. 7, 4:00 a.m. EST - Mercury 1.8 degrees south of the Moon.

* Tue., Dec. 7, Sunset (Pittsburgh: 4:54 p.m. EST) - Islamic New Year ( Muharram): A.H. 1432 - Based on lunar calendar, but the New Moon must be observable ( astronomical considerations).

* Mon., Dec. 13 - Feast of Saint Lucy celebrated on the longest night of the year of the Juilian Calendar (prior to Gregorian calendar reform).

* Mon., Dec. 13, 4:00 a.m. EST - Moon at apogee: 404,406 kilometers.

* Mon., Dec. 13, 8:59 a.m. EST - Moon Phase: First Quarter.

* Mon., Dec. 13, 9:00 p.m. EST - Jupiter 7 degrees south of the Moon.

* 2010 Dec. 14 to 2011 Jan. 5 - CITIZEN SCIENCE:
Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count

* Tue. Dec. 14 - Beginning of two-week period, centering on the Winter Solstice: Halcyon Days of December, when it is believed the seas would be calm and winds light.

* Tue., Dec. 14, 6:00 a.m. EST - Peak of Geminid Meteor Shower.

* Fri., Dec. 17 - Beginning of ancient, week-long Roman festival of Saturnalia, which marked the end of the Autumn harvest and beginning of Winter planting; known for gift giving and feasting.

* Fri., Dec. 17 - Free Shipping Day by Internet merchants for delivery of Christmas gifts by Christmas Eve (December 17).

* Sat., Dec. 18 - Mercury at perihelion.

* Sat., Dec. 18, 10:00 p.m. EST - Moon 1.2 degrees south of the Pleiades Star Cluster (M45).

* Sun., Dec. 19, 8:00 p.m. EST - Mercury in inferior conjunction with the Sun (Mercury not visible).

* Tue., Dec. 21, 3:13 a.m. EST - Moon Phase: Full Moon (Cold Moon or Long-Nights Moon).

* Tue., Dec. 21, 3:16:57 a.m. EST (time of greatest eclipse) - Total Eclipse of the Moon visible in North America, the western portion of South America, and the northern portion of Scandinavia. Partial Lunar Eclipse visible from portions of Europe and Africa (not visible in southern or eastern Africa), eastern portion of South America, and eastern portion of Asia. An Eclipse of the Moon or Lunar Eclipse is SAFE TO VIEW with the naked-eye or with binoculars or a telescope.

* Tue., Dec. 21, 8:00 a.m. EST - Moon 0.9 degree south of M35 Open Star Cluster in the Constellation Gemini the Twins.

* Tue., Dec. 21, 6:38 p.m. EST - Winter Solstice: beginning of Winter season in Earth's Northern Hemisphere.

* Wed., Dec. 22 - Asteroid Pallas in conjunction with the Sun (Pallas not visible).

* Wed., Dec. 22, 2:00 p.m. EST - Peak of the Ursid Meteor Shower.

* Fri., Dec. 24 - Eve of Christmas Day (Traditional).

* Fri., Dec. 24, 4:59 a.m. EST - 1968: First manned space flight to enter orbit of another planetary body (Earth's Moon): Apollo 8.

* Sat., Dec. 25 - Christmas Day (Traditional) or Feast of the Nativity.

* Sat., Dec. 25 - Winter Solstice according to ancient calendars.

* 2010 Dec. 25 to 2011 Jan. 5 - First day of the 12 days of Christmas.

* Sat., Dec. 25, 7:00 a.m. EST - Moon at perigee: 368,465 kilometers.

* Sat., Dec. 25, 5:46 p.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* 2010 Dec. 26 - 2011 Jan. 1 - Kwanzaa (Week-long holiday observance honoring African-American heritage.).

* Sun., Dec. 26 - Boxing Day or the Feast of St. Stephen (celebrated in Canada).

* Sun., Dec. 26, 8:07 p.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Mon., Dec. 27 - Venus at perihelion.

* Mon., Dec. 27 - Dwarf Planet Pluto in conjunction with the Sun (Pluto not visible).

* Tue., Dec. 28, 12:18 a.m. EST - Moon Phase: Last Quarter.

* Tue., Dec. 28, 10:00 p.m. EST - Saturn 8 degrees north of Moon.

* Wed., Dec. 29, 6:56 a.m. EST - Double-shadow (shadows of 2 Galilean Moons) transit on Jupiter; visible, with difficulty, through telescope after sunset or before sunrise.

* Fri., Dec. 31 - Eve of New Year's Day (Traditional).

* Fri., Dec. 31, 11:00 p.m. EST - Venus 7 degrees north of Moon.

* Sat., 2011 Jan. 1, 12:00:00 Midnight (00:00:00) Prevailing Time - New Year's Day: Calendar Year A.D. 2011 begins.